We won a lottery on Friday for a Whitney permit and hauled ourselves up to Trail Camp and spent the worst night of my mountain life in a tent at 12,040'. The temperature dropped to 20*F, water in the lakes and streams froze, and we had sustained 50MPH winds with gusts over 60. The tent held - mostly, but it beat on us. It was a three season tent so dust and microscopic bits of marmot poop swirled around us all night. It blew in under the fly and there was a thick layer of the gritty mix on everything when the wind stopped after 2:00am. The next day was still clear and amazing! The view from the top was crystal clear. A very good day in the mountains!

An awesome experience, words don't justly describe it. My first real "High Sierra" experience, and first trip above 12,200 feet. Spent two days in the Yosemite high country above Lyell Canyon acclimatizing before this two-day assult on the highest point in California.

Got on-trail at 11:00am after picking up permits, wag bag, and bear canister in Lone Pine. Hiked very slowly, especially grueling section between Mirror Lake and Trail Camp, arriving just before "sunset" (sun sets early this late in the season at Trail Camp) about 5:30pm. Set up camp, made dinner, and entered tent at 8pm for totally sleepless night at 12,000 feet. Altitude (fortunately, no headaches!) and excitement combined to make sleeping nearly impossible.

Out of bed some 3-4 times to pee, decided to end the suffering and just get up at 5:00am and start the day. Quickly got dressed, down a couple NutriGrain bars, and off to the 99 switchbacks, starting at 5:30am. Sun rose while halfway up the switchbacks, reached Trail Crest about 8:30am. No real alpenglow to speak of this morning. Vast, sweeping views from Trail Crest, wind was almost unbearable. Instinct forced me to hide in small rock hovels while fumbling with digital camera. Gloves stayed on almost the whole time until coming back down 99 switchbacks.

Above 13,500 feet, it was a mind-numbing experience. I didn't think I could be so lethargic. I couldn't quite explain why that gently-rolling rock terrain between Trail Crest and Keeler Needle was so difficult, but when you've never even set foot above 12,200 feet, and suddenly you spend hours of your life there, I guess that explains it. Surprisingly, once the trail passed Keeler Needle and started the final unmitigated uphill grind around the backside of the summit, I felt much better. Maybe knowing I was getting closer and wouldn't have to go down anymore! Reached the summit at 11:30am.

Besides the cold wind, the summit was glorious. No issues with altitude, as long as I wasn't moving! Spent a good 30-45 minutes warming up in the summit hut before donning full winter gear out on the summit edge. Took requisite panoramic pictures, signed summit log, picture in front of NPS plaque. Totally clear skies, a few wispy clouds moving quickly through the windy skies.

Hike down was without much excitement. Tough-going between summit and Trail Crest again. Do not underestimate this section of trail, it can be tough, BOTH WAYS! Freezing cold and blasting wind while passing the "windows", blazing hot solar radiation otherwise. Kept taking off and putting on clothes. Once I finally came to Trail Crest and knew it would be downhill all the way, I celebrated! Hiked quickly down 99 switchbacks, almost jogging sometimes, reached Trail Camp about 4:15pm. Soaked feet in ice-cold Trail Camp lake, and packed up overnight equipment. Left Trail Camp at 4:45pm, and made good time down. Started regular jogging just below Mirror Lake, trying desperately to get back to Whitney Portal by 7:30pm for burgers at Whitney Portal Store. Reached portal miraculously at 7:20pm, and walked into WPS, only to find out the generators were down, and that the grill was not in service. Ughhh!!!!! Settled for a calzone at the Pizza Factory, and a good night's sleep at the Dow Hotel before breakfast next morning at High Sierra Cafe. Left town for the seven-hour drive Tuesday morning.

Already planning another trip next summer to bring buddies back and share the experience with them!

Started at Whitney Portal at 2:40am, reached summit at 9:40am (7hrs). An hour at the summit and descended back to Portal in 5hrs 45min. Drove to Yosemite and did the Half Dome day hike the next day. On the drive back, I could barely bend my legs to get out of the car :)

What a beautiful mountain! From what I had read I was expecting a lot more trash and people, but it really wasn't bad. We set out from Trail camp under a full moon and watched the sun come up from below Trail Crest and it was one of the most spectacular things I’d ever seen.

My first time at Whitney. Started on the main trail at 1:00 a.m and summited by 9:30. Got back to the car by 6:00. Gorgeous full moon, perfect weather, helluva hike. Only a few problems. My water bladder sprang a leak just below Trail Camp. I had enough backup gatorade and water, but my partner ran out on the way down from the summit. Mini-epic but he had a filter so when we got to the switchbacks he was able to refill from the snowmelt on the trail. Very glad I went along - Trail Crest and the "windows" were absolutely awesome.

Started at 3:30 am, summited by 8:55 am. Great sunrise. Great hike. Want to try the mountaineers route now. Tried to summit Muir on the way back, but was tired and not comfortable doing the class 3 alone,